‘I am the best person to lead MK Council’, says Labour’s Pete Marland

Amanda Devlin

Council leader Pete Marland has quashed rumours he is standing down after a difficult election.

The 34-year-old was elected as Labour leader last May when his group took minority control of MK council.

Despite losing two seats to the Tories and one to Lib Dems on Friday, Councillor Marland was re-elected by his group to lead for another four years.

He said: “I think for the moment I provide continuity and believe that I am the best person to lead the council.

“I do not believe in career politicians.

“I do not want to get to 60 years old and have been on the council for 40 years.

“But at the moment the people of Wolverton have elected me and I will certainly see out the four years.

“Beyond that, who knows.”

His comments follow last week’s local election that saw the Conservatives gain four seats, Labour lose three and gain one, while the Liberal Democrats remained on 12 - despite losing a vacant seat they previously held.